Scientists target mess from Christmas tree needles

Elaine Thompson

Published
10:45 am EST, Friday, December 26, 2014

In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014, Gary Chastagner, a Washington State University plant pathology professor, stands among trimmed Douglas fir trees suspended in a temperature and humidity-controlled room at a school research facility in Puyallup, Wash. Consumers consistently cite messiness as one of the most common reasons they don’t have a real tree, says the National Christmas Tree Association. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014, Gary Chastagner, a Washington State University plant pathology professor, stands among trimmed Douglas fir trees suspended in a temperature and humidity-controlled

In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014, Gary Chastagner, a Washington State University plant pathology professor, stands among trimmed Douglas fir trees suspended in a temperature and humidity-controlled room at a school research facility in Puyallup, Wash. Consumers consistently cite messiness as one of the most common reasons they don’t have a real tree, says the National Christmas Tree Association. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014, Gary Chastagner, a Washington State University plant pathology professor, stands among trimmed Douglas fir trees suspended in a temperature and humidity-controlled

In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014, Gary Chastagner, a Washington State University plant pathology professor, stands among trimmed Douglas fir trees suspended in a temperature and humidity-controlled room at a school research facility in Puyallup, Wash. Consumers consistently cite messiness as one of the most common reasons they don’t have a real tree, says the National Christmas Tree Association. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Today's Top Insider StoriesOur journalists provide in-depth analysis and reporting about the people, places and issues that matter most to you. Subscribers get access to all of their comprehensive coverage.Stories from Insider